EN 10088-2 X6Cr17 1.4016 Stainless Steel Plate

X6Cr17, steel number 1.4016, is a 17 % chromium ferritic stainless steel supplied as sheet, plate and strip to EN 10088-2, the European standard for corrosion resisting flat products for general purposes. The steel behind every 1.4016 stainless steel plate contains 16.0 – 18.0 % chromium and no more than 0.08 % carbon, with no nickel requirement. It is magnetic, takes bright and brushed finishes well, resists indoor and mild atmospheric corrosion far better than the 11 – 13 % chromium grades, and is priced well below 304. It is the European counterpart of 430 stainless steel and the most widely used ferritic grade for appliances, kitchen equipment, decorative trim, interior panels and induction-compatible cookware.

SHH STEEL works as a steel sourcing partner with long-term relationships with Chinese stainless mills that roll 430-type coil in cold-rolled and hot-rolled form. For large tonnages, the buyer can contract directly with a suitable mill, with SHH STEEL assisting for a modest service fee and handling follow-up and documents. For small orders we consolidate demand, so that 1 – 5 t lots are placed against genuine mill production instead of stock of unknown origin. Each shipment can be released after third-party inspection by TUV, ABS, BV, DNV, CCS or an agency the buyer nominates, and payment by TT or LC is accepted. The rest of this page covers the technical side of EN 10088-2 1.4016 and the steps we take so that the sheet that arrives is the sheet that was ordered.

The table below lists the concerns buyers raise most often when sourcing EN 10088-2 X6Cr17 sheet and plate from China, and how SHH STEEL deals with each of them.

X6Cr17 1.4016 is ordered under several names, and appliance and trim drawings are just as often written to American or Japanese standards as to European ones. EN 10088-2 is the technical delivery condition for sheet, plate and strip of corrosion resisting steels for general purposes. ASTM A240 and ASME SA-240 cover the same type of steel as Type 430, and JIS G 4305 covers it as SUS430 cold-rolled sheet.

The lower carbon limit of EN 10088-2 is worth noting: a 1.4016 heat normally also meets 430 chemistry, but a 430 heat near 0.12 % carbon does not meet 1.4016. If your drawing is American or Japanese, see our ASTM A240 Type 430 and JIS G4305 SUS430 pages; SHH STEEL can supply either and, where a mill certifies more than one standard, dual-certified sheet. Plate certified only to EN 10088-2 is not intended for pressure purposes.

Edition note: the values on this page are taken from EN 10088-2:2014, whose foreword records that the mechanical values for 1.4016 were changed in that edition. A revised edition (EN 10088-2:2024) has since been published. If your contract names the newer edition, SHH STEEL checks the order against that text before production, and any difference is raised at the quotation stage rather than after rolling.

The 1.4016 chemical composition below is the cast (heat) analysis from EN 10088-2:2014 Table 3. Values are percentages by mass; a single figure is a maximum.

Chromium at 16 – 18 % is what gives 1.4016 its useful indoor corrosion resistance and its bright appearance. The steel is not stabilised: there is no titanium or niobium, so carbon is free to form chromium carbides during welding, which is the main limit on its use in welded parts. A footnote to Table 3 permits controlled sulphur ranges, for example a maximum of 0.015 % recommended for polishability, which can be specified for bright or polished sheet. Elements not listed must not be added intentionally without the purchaser’s agreement.

Product analysis tolerances (EN 10088-2 Table 5)

A product analysis is a check made on the delivered sheet. It is not mandatory under EN 10088-2; it is carried out when agreed at the time of enquiry and order, and SHH STEEL can arrange it through a partner laboratory. The permissible tolerances on the cast limits are:

EN 10088-2 also states that, where several product analyses are made on one cast, individual results may exceed the maximum or fall below the minimum, but not both for the same element.

The 1.4016 mechanical properties are set in EN 10088-2:2014 Table 9 for the annealed condition. The values differ by product form, so state both the form and the thickness on the order.

Elongation is measured on an 80 mm gauge length below 3 mm thickness and on a proportional gauge length (5.65√S0) from 3 mm upwards. For bigger sizes the values are to be agreed at the time of enquiry and order. Table 9 records resistance to intergranular corrosion (tested to EN ISO 3651-2) as “yes” in the delivery condition but “no” in the welded condition, which sums up the grade: sound as supplied, but sensitive to sensitisation in the weld zone.

For pressed and drawn parts, tensile values tell only part of the story. Drawability (r-value), ridging behaviour and hardness depend on the mill’s rolling and annealing route. If a pressing line needs a maximum hardness or a drawing-quality grade, we write it into the mill order as an agreed requirement and check it on the certificate. EN 10088-2 also offers 1.4016 in the cold-worked condition (2H) at the +C700 and +C850 tensile levels for parts that need more strength.

Proof strength at elevated temperature (Table 14)

These values are given for information and are verified by an elevated-temperature tensile test only if agreed in the order. EN 10088-2 does not set a Charpy impact value for this grade.

X6Cr17 plate and sheet are delivered in the annealed condition (+A). EN 10088-2 Table A.3 gives the guideline temperatures:

Annealing recrystallises the cold-rolled structure and produces the soft ferritic condition on which the Table 9 values are based. Bright-annealed (2R, BA) sheet is annealed in a protective atmosphere so that the reflective surface survives. Heating well above the annealing range coarsens the grain and can form a little martensite on cooling, both of which reduce ductility.

Two temperature ranges should be avoided in service and processing: long exposure around 400 – 550 °C can cause the embrittlement known as 475 °C embrittlement, and prolonged exposure at higher temperatures can form sigma phase. These effects are general knowledge for 17 % chromium ferritics rather than EN 10088-2 requirements. Welded parts can be re-annealed in the Table A.3 range to restore ductility and corrosion resistance in the weld zone. The Annex A temperatures are guidelines; actual furnace settings are chosen by the mill, and SHH STEEL checks that the annealed condition is stated on each certificate.

The values below are room-temperature reference figures for X6Cr17 1.4016, taken from the physical-property table in Euro Inox, Stainless Steel: Tables of Technical Properties (Materials and Applications Series, Volume 5). They are suitable for design estimates and weight calculation; where a figure is critical, use EN 10088-1 itself.

Two figures matter in practice. Thermal expansion is far lower than that of 304, so oven liners, hob frames and panels distort less when heated. And because the steel is ferromagnetic, it works on induction hobs, which is why 1.4016 is used for cookware bases and induction-compatible parts. At about 7.7 g/cm³, a 1.0 mm sheet weighs roughly 7.7 kg per square metre, a figure SHH STEEL uses for weight and freight estimates in every quotation.

With 16 – 18 % chromium and no molybdenum, X6Cr17 1.4016 sits between the 11 – 13 % chromium ferritics and 304. It resists indoor atmospheres, kitchen environments, mild detergents and many food-contact conditions, and it keeps its appearance well indoors.

The table is general guidance only. Like other ferritic grades, 1.4016 is practically insensitive to chloride stress-corrosion cracking, which is an advantage over 304 in warm, mildly contaminated water. Where welded parts must resist wet service, a stabilised 17 – 18 % chromium ferritic (such as 1.4510 or 1.4509) or an austenitic grade is the better choice, and we can quote that alternative from the same mill partners.

1.4016 can be welded, but it is the least forgiving of the common ferritic grades. Because it is not stabilised, carbon forms chromium carbides in the heat-affected zone, and the ferrite grain grows quickly at welding temperature. The result can be a weld zone with lower ductility and lower intergranular corrosion resistance than the parent sheet. Thin sheet is joined by TIG, MIG, resistance spot and seam welding; heavier sections are welded less often.

• Filler metal: in common industry practice, 308L or 309L-type austenitic fillers are used to improve weld ductility; 430-type matching fillers are used where colour match matters, such as decorative work.
• Heat input: keep it as low as possible and avoid wide weaving, to limit grain growth.
• Preheat: thin sheet is welded without preheat; heavier sections are often preheated to about 150 – 200 °C.
• Post-weld anneal: an anneal in the 770 – 830 °C range restores ductility and corrosion resistance where the part will see wet service.
• Cleaning: remove heat tint by pickling or brushing, especially on visible or food-contact surfaces.

These points reflect industry practice for 430-type steels rather than requirements of EN 10088-2, which does not specify welding procedures. Where welding is a large part of the design, consider a stabilised ferritic or the titanium-stabilised EN 10088-2 X2CrTi12 1.4512 for lower-chromium parts. In the SHH STEEL workshop, blanks are cut with clean, burr-free edges so that spot and seam welding lines run without preparation problems.

X6Cr17 sheet forms well for bending, roll forming and moderate drawing, and it is widely deep drawn for sinks, drums and cookware when a drawing-quality material is ordered. Two ferritic habits need attention. Spring-back is greater than in carbon steel, so press-brake tools need a little overbend. And after deep drawing, 430-type sheet can show ridging or roping, a pattern of fine lines parallel to the rolling direction, which may need polishing on visible parts. Mill processing affects ridging, so it should be discussed at the enquiry stage. These are workshop and industry guidelines, not standard requirements.

Machining is comparable to other ferritic grades and easier than for austenitic steels: sharp tools and steady feeds give clean results, and there is no austenitic-type work hardening.

SHH STEEL runs its own workshop next to the warehouse, so 1.4016 can be delivered as cut-to-length sheets, slit coil, laser-cut blanks or bent parts instead of raw mill sizes. Details are on our steel cutting services and bending and forming services pages. PVC or laser-grade protective film can be applied before cutting, so bright and brushed surfaces arrive free of handling marks.

EN 10088-2 limits each product form to a maximum thickness, and the tolerance standard depends on the form:

Widths and typical thicknesses are mill offerings, not values from the standard. Cut lengths are usually 2 000 – 4 000 mm for sheet, and slit coil can be supplied to the width your line uses. Under EN ISO 18286, width and length tolerances for quarto plate are class A unless another class is agreed, and surface imperfections are judged to EN 10163-2 class A2 unless otherwise agreed.

Most 1.4016 is bought as cold-rolled sheet of 0.4 – 2.0 mm for appliances and trim; hot-rolled 1D plate is used for heavier brackets and frames. SHH STEEL confirms available widths and lengths with the mill at quotation and cuts or slits to finished size in its own workshop when a mill size does not fit.

Surface finish is often the deciding factor for 1.4016. EN 10088-2 Table 6 defines the process routes; many buyers order with the familiar ASTM/JIS names instead, and the table shows how they relate. Not every route is available for every grade, and the mill confirms which ones it can supply.

The No.4 and BA names are not EN symbols, so state the required surface roughness or reference sample when ordering brushed or bright sheet. Unless otherwise agreed, only one surface (the prime surface) is inspected to the ordered finish. Brushed and polished finishes can also be applied in the SHH STEEL workshop through our stainless surface finishing services. For current market levels of the Japanese equivalent, see our SUS430 BA and No.4 FOB Shanghai price report.

Buyers often search for 430 stainless steel when they need 1.4016, or the other way round. When asked for the 1.4016 equivalent in another standard, the honest answer is that there are close relatives rather than exact twins. The table lists the nearest grades; chemistry and property limits differ in detail, so substitution should be checked against the governing specification.

On our site you can compare related grades such as ASTM A240 Type 430, ASME SA240 430, JIS G4305 SUS430 and GB/T 4237 10Cr17 S11710. Because EN 10088-2 limits carbon to 0.08 %, a heat certified as 1.4016 usually meets 430 chemistry, but not always the other way round. Where a drawing calls for UNS S43000 but the project is European, ordering X6Cr17 to EN 10088-2 is often acceptable, but the designer should confirm it, and SHH STEEL can prepare a side-by-side comparison of the limits for that purpose.

1.4016 vs 304

The 1.4016 vs 304 question comes down to cost against corrosion margin and weldability. 304 contains about 18 % chromium and 8 % nickel, so it resists a wider range of environments, welds without sensitisation in thin sections and is non-magnetic, but its price follows the nickel market. 1.4016 has similar chromium and no nickel, is magnetic, expands less with heat and is markedly cheaper per tonne. For indoor appliances, trim, cookware and panels, 1.4016 is often the better-value choice; for welded wet-service parts, outdoor coastal use or demanding food processing, 304 remains the safer one. Lower-chromium options such as EN 10088-2 X6Cr13 1.4000 for refinery internals, or 1.4003 for structural frames, suit parts where appearance matters less. SHH STEEL can quote these grades side by side so the choice is clear.

The typical 1.4016 ferritic plate application is an indoor or mildly exposed part where appearance and cost matter and heavy welding is not needed. Common uses include:

• Household appliances: washing machine drums and panels, dishwasher liners, refrigerator and oven panels
• Kitchen equipment: cooker hoods, hob frames, sink bowls (drawing-quality), catering equipment cladding
• Induction-compatible cookware bases and magnetic parts
• Decorative trim, interior wall panels, elevator and escalator interiors
• Automotive interior and exterior trim in protected positions
• Fasteners, brackets and stampings made from sheet
• Furnace and burner parts in dry, moderate heat

In each case the reasoning is the same: enough chromium for a clean, durable surface indoors, magnetic behaviour where it is useful, and no nickel cost that the service does not need. For these uses SHH STEEL can supply film-protected sheet or laser-cut blanks, which reduces scrap and handling damage.

Most problems in buying 1.4016 from China are about surface and processing rather than chemistry. Appliance and decorative buyers judge sheet by how it looks after forming, so the finish, the film and the flatness need as much attention as the certificate.

None of these steps is complicated, but they need to be agreed at the start. When you send an enquiry, tell SHH STEEL which of these points matters most to you, and the order will be built around it.

EN 10088-2 Table 21 sets out the tests. The cast analysis is always reported by the manufacturer, and a tensile test at room temperature is mandatory when specific testing is ordered. For strip and sheet cut from strip (forms C and H) the test unit is the same cast, same nominal thickness ±10 % and same final treatment condition; for quarto plate (form P), plates may be grouped into batches of up to 30 000 kg and no more than 40 plates. Other tests are optional and carried out only when agreed at the time of order:

• Product analysis (extent to be agreed)
• Tensile test at elevated temperature, verifying Table 14 values
• Intergranular corrosion test to EN ISO 3651-2, normally not carried out
• Additional checks through our third-party testing service: PMI, surface roughness, gloss or reference-sample comparison, dimensional and flatness inspection

If the order does not name an inspection document, EN 10088-2 requires only a test report 2.2. Because this is rarely enough for appliance or export work, SHH STEEL supplies an EN 10204 3.1 inspection certificate as standard and a 3.2 certificate when an independent inspector (TUV, ABS, BV, DNV, CCS or an agency you nominate) witnesses testing and countersigns the document.

Ordering example and lead time

Following the pattern of the example in EN 10088-2, a typical order line would read: 8 t cold-rolled sheet EN ISO 9445-2, 0.8 × 1219 × 2438 mm; steel EN 10088-2 – X6Cr17+2R (or 1.4016+2R), one side PVC film; inspection certificate EN 10204 – 3.1. Mill production lead time is generally 30 – 40 days from order confirmation, depending on the rolling schedule, the finish and the tests requested. Consolidated small lots follow the same mill schedule, and SHH STEEL sends progress updates at rolling, finishing and packing.

• Mill relationships: long-term cooperation with Chinese stainless mills helps SHH STEEL secure competitive pricing and steadier delivery for 1.4016 in its common finishes.
• Direct mill contracts: for larger tonnages you can contract directly with a suitable mill, for a modest service fee, while we handle follow-up and documents.
• Order consolidation: 1 – 5 t lots of several gauges and finishes are combined so they can be placed against genuine mill production.
• Own workshop: cut-to-length, slitting, laser blanking, bending, brushing and protective film before shipment.
• Inspection and certificates: third-party inspection by TUV, ABS, BV, DNV, CCS or your nominated agency, with EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 certificates.
• Flexible payment: TT, LC or a combination of both.
• Port logistics: sheet is packed with interleaving on seaworthy pallets, labelled with heat numbers and shipped through our worldwide shipping service, together with other grades if needed.

As a 1.4016 plate supplier SHH STEEL also stocks and sources the wider range of stainless steel sheets and plates, so mixed orders of ferritic and austenitic sheet can travel in one container with one set of paperwork.

EN 10088-2 X6Cr17 1.4016 is a practical, economical ferritic stainless steel for appliances, kitchen equipment, trim and panels: 17 % chromium, magnetic, attractive in bright and brushed finishes and far less sensitive to nickel prices than 304. Choosing it is the easy part. Getting sheet that matches the certificate, in the finish and flatness your parts need, protected against scratches and delivered on a predictable schedule, is where a sourcing partner earns its place, and that is the work SHH STEEL does every day through long-term mill cooperation, consolidation and its own workshop.

The next step is simple. Send SHH STEEL your drawing, or an enquiry with the quantity, thickness, finish and delivery destination, and we will judge whether a direct mill contract or consolidation with processing fits your order better, and quote accordingly. Send your sizes and quantities for a quotation.